Possible Re-wire

Hello, from your overall description, and in view of the fact that you are undertaking renovation works more generally, I'd say it's a strong recommendation to take the opportunity to rewire your property. With only 3 circuits present and no CPC (earth) for the lighting, it shows that: A - The install is of an age whereby upgrade would be recommended. B - it's very restrictive on what you can have / use in regard to your electrical systems. Obviously your decision has to be based upon your budget for any prospective works, so why not employ the services of a local Part P Registered electrical contractor to undertake an EICR for you (electrical installation condition report). In the event that the property throws up a lot of non compliances, it may convince you take make the investment with regard to a whole home rewire. If parts of the wiring are found to be in good working order, then perhaps you could plan a partial rewire. Ensure you use a registered contractor - NICEIC / ECA / ELECSA / NAPIT for your works, as you will require an installation certificate and LABC compliance certificate for any works of that nature. Good luck, Rob Sensor Electrical Services Ltd

If it really is earthed, as you say, by the gas pipe that's a major concern. Its no longer allowed, neither is earthing by water pipe. So in reality it's pointless getting an EICR carried out and wasting money that can go towards a full rewire as you already know its likely to need a full rewire. No cpc in the lighting circuits means you can't change the CU without contravening Regs. anyway. You should consider a full rewire. You only have three circuits so its not a big rewire even if the circuits are further divided. Putting it off is is not economic as it will get more expensive the longer you leave it.

Hello, We recommend you get an ECIR report done on the property. This will allow you to make a more informed decision on a full house re-wire or just the kitchen. Planning on doing the work yourself ? With ECIR report you will have the comfort of knowing the safe working conditions of your home electrical system allowing your to make a price sensitive desision on what to replace. NOTE: electrical works should be completed by a trained & qualified professional. Having the works completed by an electrician? It will cost more in the long term to only replace the consumer unit & kitchen rewire than to have it all done at the same time by the same electrician. I hope this helps in your decision.

The whole house if you have the opportunity and the finances then it’s worth doing. If you’re doing improvements to the house, far better to start with a known good point rather than hacking the existing circuits about to try and make do. I’d advise an EICR before dong the board change too, just in case there are any surprises waiting to be found!!

Hi, full rewire is your best bet in my opinion. I`m not an electrician, but use a great one to do all my wetroom wiring. I got him in to help me do an overall plan of what was needed & where & to his recommended spec, then bought the bits as i could afford them, so not one massive hit. He was happy for me to do all the chasing in for the boxes, conduit, etc & even ran a lot of his cables at the same time. He then came back, connected it all up, upgraded the consumer unit & signed it off. Hope this helps, Chris.

My advice would be to get an EICR carried out. This would tell you if the existing wiring is still OK to be used. From that you can then decide with advice, whether to get a new board to cover the kitchen or a bigger board to cover the rest of the property when you decide to work on the other circuits.